Nancy Isenberg's White Trash has garnered praise for its thorough exploration of class and race in American history. Critics laud its meticulous research and provocative arguments, though some note its dense prose and a challenging narrative. Overall, the book is celebrated for its comprehensive analysis and compelling insights into the overlooked segments of American society.

A reader who would enjoy White Trash by Nancy Isenberg is likely interested in American history, sociology, and class studies. Fans of Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance or Evicted by Matthew Desmond would appreciate Isenberg's critical analysis of class dynamics in the U.S. and her compelling narrative on the marginalized “poor white” population through centuries.

White Trash by Nancy Isenberg examines America's 400-year history of class hierarchy, focusing on the white poor and their systemic marginalization by the upper and middle classes. The book reveals that America, contrary to the ideal of equality of opportunity, has consistently retained an entrenched class structure where poor white individuals have been relegated to undesirable lands and subjected to degrading stereotypes.

Informative / Dark / Challenging / Mysterious / Unnerving

- Originally published in 2016, White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America by Nancy Isenberg explores the often overlooked impact of class on American history, challenging myths of egalitarianism.
- Nancy Isenberg is a professor of American History at Louisiana State University, and White Trash draws upon centuries of American history to investigate how certain populations have been marginalized and stigmatized.
- The book highlights the persistence of class distinctions in America by examining cultural representations and public policies that have historically designated certain groups as inferior.

**Nancy Isenberg**  
The author and historian who explores the historical oppression of the white underclass in America, using the perspectives and policies of prominent leaders to build her argument.

**Thomas Jefferson**  
A founding father and author of the Declaration of Independence, noted for his conflicting views on equality and class distinctions among the American populace.

**Andrew Jackson**  
The first president from the West, known for his populist appeal and embodiment of traits associated with the white underclass, yet not advancing their interests substantively.

**Jefferson Davis**  
The Confederate leader who highlighted class distinctions by contrasting the Southern white underclass with Northern workers, exemplifying race and class politics in the South.

**Theodore Roosevelt**  
A patrician president who, despite disdaining race-baiting politics, held classist and eugenicist views, indicative of early 20th-century attitudes towards class hierarchy.

**Elvis Presley**  
A musical icon with rural roots who challenged stereotypes of poor white people through his style, fame, and influence in American culture.

**Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ)**  
A President who worked to alleviate poverty and advance civil rights, showcasing the persistent challenges of class origins in achieving recognition among the elite.

**William Jefferson Clinton**  
A progressive southern politician who, despite his impressive academic achievements, was often judged through the lens of his humble beginnings and cultural background.

**Sarah Palin**  
John McCain's vice-presidential running mate known for embodying white trash stereotypes, with her background and public persona frequently depicted in media and politics.

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Preface to the Paperback Edition-Introduction

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Part 1: “To Begin the World Anew”

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Part 2: “Degeneration of the American Breed”

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Part 3: “White Trash Makeover”

Part 3-Epilogue

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White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America

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